The New York Rangers likely will go into the Stanley Cup playoffs without winger Chris Kreider, who has suffered a hand injury and could miss more than a month, per TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
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The Rangers have not confirmed the report, but they did announce that Kreider wouldn’t play in Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The 22-year-old forward was enjoying a successful sophomore season with 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists) in 66 games for New York.
His absence will certainly be felt in the Rangers’ lineup. The team ranks 18th in goals scored, has just one player with more than 20 goals (Rick Nash) and no one with more than 50 points. In addition to Kreider’s scoring production, the Rangers also will miss his physicality, power-play skill and speed.
New York sits in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 84 points, one point ahead of the Flyers.
